‘Meddling’ is one of Russia’s many cyberwarfare methods, one in which it’s had considerable success.

Russia’s been effective at using what they call the ‘western’ media, what US rightists call ‘MSM’, to send messages intended to manipulate America’s angry and intellectually vulnerable, including most GoTrumpers.

Russia’s used the internet and social media, including online English newspapers in Japan, to spread fake news (Pizzagate?) and messages like ‘it’s Putin’s way or war’, a classic either- or, nothing in between, tactic used by totalitarian regimes throughout history.

Plus Putin leads a global media empire. (Including Japanese outlets?) Waiting for ‘Can’t prove it!’ and ‘the ‘west’ is worse. Saying the latter is at least an admission that interfering in other nations’ politics is a negative.

Sep. 15, 2018
08:59 am JST

What the US can do is put sanctions on any country or entity that does ANY business with Russia.

Won't happen when you have a European Union that looks at Russia and its 150 million people as a source of economic benefit they are currently missing out on to a large degree due to trade barriers and sanctions on both sides.

The U.S has to be very careful it does not push its European allies too far on Russian sanctions. There is a lot of support with Germany etc on more business ties with Russia and it only makes sense given that Europe is so far from Asian growth and Africa is a hit and miss proposition still torn by strife in large part.

Sep. 15, 2018
09:33 am JST

Won't happen when you have a European Union that looks at Russia and its 150 million people as a source of economic benefit they are currently missing out on to a large degree due to trade barriers and sanctions on both sides.

150m very poor people. Sorry - not all, some very rich people, but with an average GDP per capita of about $5000.

Russia is an economic pygmy - take a look on Google streetview to see for yourself.

China is the great market to expand into and then perhaps India. Russia I worry about - it could be a great contributor to world growth other than its gas supplies, but it has nothing else.

Sep. 15, 2018
10:16 am JST

150m very poor people. Sorry - not all, some very rich people, but with an average GDP per capita of about $5000.

Russia is an economic pygmy - take a look on Google streetview to see for yourself.

China is the great market to expand into and then perhaps India. Russia I worry about - it could be a great contributor to world growth other than its gas supplies, but it has nothing else.

What do you want to see? More Chinese influence in Russia or more European influence in Russia?

One of them is a very good outcome for the United States and one of them is a very bad outcome.

It should be obvious.

China is not a market that the U.S will ever be allowed a fair play at. You know this. Neither will the Europeans.

China's stated aim is global domination. Russia's stated aim is to bring the ex-Soviet states back into the fold, at best. Those same states represent the middle ground between the E.U and NATO and Russia' borders. Wouldn't it make sense to forge a better relationship with Russia so you can also have a say in the future of those states as well?

India is great potential yes and since India shares a good relationship with Russia, it would be helpful, all round, to at least try to get better relations with Russia.

The problem in U.S politics isn't Russian influence, its a dumbed down American culture and political system.

Sep. 15, 2018
10:51 am JST

@fizzb At least some have the smarts to get paid for it.

Good point. Paid troll is about as low a job as any, but at least it's an entry level position for bottom feeders unable to find work elsewhere. And like one of them said, the Russian troll business is expanding so fast that in addition to using Russians with English (and no doubt other language) degrees, Russia's outsourcing troll work to English majors in India and the Philippines. Talk about globalism.

Sep. 15, 2018
01:07 pm JST

Won't happen when you have a European Union that looks at Russia and its 150 million people as a source of economic benefit they are currently missing out on to a large degree due to trade barriers and sanctions on both sides.

Yes but are they willing to sacrifice US economic benefit for Russian? Right

Russia is an economic pygmy - take a look on Google streetview to see for yourself.

Don't really think Google streetview is the way to gage an economy..

China is the great market to expand into and then perhaps India. Russia I worry about - it could be a great contributor to world growth other than its gas supplies, but it has nothing else.